The Chris Young world tour makes a stop in the Motor City on Friday night to a  packed-to-capacity venue full of eager Detroit fans.
On Friday night in Royal Oak, the crowd lined up in both directions waiting for doors to open at the Royal Oak Music Theatre in Detroit’s northern suburb. Once inside, the 1,700 plus people raced to their seats, eagerly awaiting this sold out show to begin.
On this evening, the crowds wait for Chris Young as he brings his I’m Comin’ Over World Tour to Royal Oak. The 2006 winner of the USA Network’s television series Nashville Star is promoting his fifth album, I’m Comin’ Over, released in November 2015.
The show begins with Cassadee Pope taking the stage. Pope, a singer-songwriter from West Palm Beach, Florida, is the 2012 season three winner of NBC’s The Voice. She entertains the crowd by singing songs from her 2013 debut album, Frame To Frame, along with songs from an upcoming album to be released later in 2016.
Showing maturity towards her sophomore album, Pope takes on the sensitive issues of a teenaged girl being peer pressured and bullied in her current single, “I Am Invincible.”
Keeping the energy going, Cassadee moves from one side of the stage to the other dancing with her band and interacting with the crowds in front of the stage. At the conclusion of her set, she exits the stage as fans chant her name and wanting more.
With the short intermission for the stage change over, you can feel the anticipation growing as the crowds get restless. When the theatre lights dimmed and the stage lights come up, the crowds go insane, jumping up and down and screaming.
Chris Young enters the stage walking from the rear to his microphone stand at center stage. He grips his mic with both hands and starts his show with “Underdogs” from his current album.
Singing songs from all five albums, Young expresses his amazement to the enthusiasm level on this evening and is very thankful for all the love and support since starting his career in 2006.
His current single “Think Of You” is a duet with his tour partner, Cassadee Pope. The crowds erupt in a thunderous applause as Pope joins Young on stage for the duet.
During the singing of “I Can Take It From There,” Young stops the song to talk about Conway Twitty. He explains that those who don’t know of Conway Twitty need to leave right now and find out. He then sings an acapella rendition of Twitty’s “I’d Love To Lay You Down.” The crowd joins in as Young finishes with his song.
Joining RCA Nashville back in 2006, Young explains that he would not wish to be with any other label. RCA Nashville is also home to Young’s childhood idol and all time favorite, Keith Whitley.
He then sings his favorite Whitley song, “When You Say Nothing At All.” The band plays softly, and the crowd joins in singing.
Diving into a ZZ Top song, Young introduces the band as they all take turns showing off their musical talents with the song “Sharp Dressed Man.”
Young takes a moment to offer up thanks. He tells the audience of how the last ten months have been crazy for him and how he is thankful to his fans for everything they have done to support him. Earlier this week, he was notified of his nomination for four Academy of Country Music Awards. He also thanks the crowd for the sold out show in Royal Oak along with making “I’m Comin’ Over” another No. 1 hit single. He is also pleasantly surprised by how the crowd continued singing along throughout the show.
At the end of his performance, and after singing three slow love songs in a row, Young states that since people still had a beer in their hands, is was time for “Save Water, Drink Beer.” He proceeds to bounce around the stage, joking and shoulder bumping with his band. As the song ends, so does their set.
With the crowd screaming for more, Young returns with his band for a final encore. He talks of growing up not having much money and how he was given a ticket to sit on a hillside at a musical show when he met first met Vince Gill. Now years later, situations are different for Young, but he is still is friends with Gill. On Young’s latest album, Gill joins in on “Sober Saturday Night.”
As Young and his band exit the stage for the final time this evening, those in attendance are happy with the performance. The gentleman on stage has one of the most recognizable voices in country music today. Chris Young appeared humble and appreciative for his fans and their support. With the love obvious between Young and the crowd, it is easy to understand why his career continues to climb with strong album sales and more sold out shows.
Chris Young
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Cassadee Pope
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Royal Oak Music Theatre
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Chris Young setlist: Underdogs, Getting You Home (The Black Dress Song), Voices, Lonely Eyes, Who I Am With You, Think Of You (duet with Cassadee Pope), Aw Naw, I Can Take It From There, When You Say Nothing At All, Sharp Dressed Man, You, Tomorrow, Neon, When She’s On, I’m Comin’ Over, Save Water Drink Beer, Encore: Sober Saturday Night
Cassadee Pope setlist: Edge Of A Thunderstorm, Hazel, Alien, I Wish I Could Break Your Heart, Summer, I Am Invincible, Wasting All These Tears